Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-31
THE AUTHOR OF "AMERICA.Y
One of Americas Most Distinguished

THE AUTHOR OF AMERICA
One of Americas Most Distinguished
Citizens Visits Sacramento.
Rev. Samuel Francis Smith, D. D., was
one of the party of Eastern excursionists
who came to Sacramento yesterday. The
Smith family is numerous one, but this
particular Smith is distinguished citizen
one whom every American loves to take
by the hand and say God bless you" In
support of this, it is only necessary to add
that he is the author of our national hymn,
America y
Ny country It's of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee sing.
Mr.. Smith is a we'll preserved and fine
looking elderly gentleman. In an inter-
view with representative of the RECORD
UNION in the ro.unda of the State Capitol
last evening, he said: Yes, am the
author of America | live at Newton
Center, twenty minutes from Boston. was
born in Boston, in 1908; graduated at
Harvard College in 1929, and studied theol-
ogy for three years at Andover l
wrote 5. America in 1882. while at
Andov.r, while a student in the
Theological Seminary. l composed it
without the slightest expectation of its be-
coming the national hymn. The people
took it up, and commenced singing it, and
are singing it yet. / have heard it sung in
many countries of Europe, in many places
in Asia--in fact, wherever there is gath
ering of Americans in any foreign country
they drink in inspiration from its singing
am glad you appreciate it, and am
That in its composition 1 have done SO
much good toward the nursing and per-
petuating of the patriotism of my country.
During my collegiate and theological
course | was large contributor to the
Encyclopedia Americana In 1884 he was
ordained pastor of the First Baptist Church,
Wateryille, Me-, and at the same time
elected Professor of Modern Languages in
Waterville College, both of which posts he
filled till 1912, when he removed to New
ton, Mass. and became pastor of the First
Baptist Church there and editor of the
Christian Rsciep. He continued his charge
of the latter until 1919. when it was re-
moved TO New York. He closed his pas
torate at Newton in 1854, when
he resigned and has since been en-
gagged in literary pursuits and travel
ing. In 1843. in connection with
the Rev. Baron Stow, he compiled the
Psalmist," a collection of psalms and
hymns more widely circulated than any
other in the United States. Among his
numerous later publications are Lyric
Gems, poems original and selected p" Life
of Rev. Joseph Grafton" Missionary
Sketches. " Rambies in Mission Fields"
also an extended history of Newton, Mass,
an octave volume of nearly 1000 pages.
10 hov - &c
among them;
The morning light is breaking,
Darkness disappears;
Sons of earth are waking
To penitential tears.
He has travelled extensively in Europe and
Asia and visited many missionary stations.
He has one son now a missionary in Bur-
nah, whom he recently visited
YES, California is great country; it is
the best on the globe, and l have seen all
the best. Your soil, climate and produc-
tons are unequaled by any other place on
EARTH and Sacramento is
THE CENTER OF THIS PARADISE
Yes, have been toi Los Angeles. 1t is
beautiful place, and their climate is per-
feet. You seem to be more favored here
than are the people of Los Angeles, for
you have, in addition to an equally as good
climate, an abundance of water and
vast area of the most productive soil, and
diversity of fruits nowhere else equaled to
on earth. am delighted with Sacramento,
and my short stay annoys me somewhat, for
| would like to see more of it. This build.
ing, immense in proportions, solid in
structure, handsome in architecture, and
the beautiful grounds surrounding it,
speaks volumes of itself of the thrift and
prosperity of California,sswhich to-day is an
empire within itself. Your Art Gallery,
owned by your city, the munifcent gift, l
understand, of Mrs. E. B. Croker, has no
equal, so far as | am aware, on the Ameri-
can continent. l admire the plan of your
city, your broad and level streets, and your
beautiful and well-kept homes bespeak
happy, contented and prosperous people.
These Raymond excursions will do much
towards disseminating information regard
ing your matchless resources, and will ere
long send you large addition to your
population"